Court Acquits 4 Men of Defiling 2 Children After 8-Year Incarceration
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court delivered a stunning verdict on Tuesday, freeing four men who had been charged with the defilement of two children. Justice Rahman Oshodi acquitted Ojo Taye, John Mahason, Peter Arabo, and Adenekan Adedeji of the three-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
The judge’s ruling was based on the prosecution’s failure to substantiate the allegations against the defendants. Justice Oshodi emphasized that the prosecution did not produce the alleged survivors, who were five and three years old, to testify in the case. Consequently, he expressed inability to rely solely on the evidence provided by the medical doctor and the investigative police officer to convict the defendants, highlighting the insufficiency of the evidence presented.
In delivering the verdict, Justice Oshodi underscored the importance of upholding the innocence of the accused, stating, “It is better for nine guilty people to be set free than to convict one innocent person.” Consequently, he declared the defendants not guilty of the charge and ordered their immediate acquittal and discharge.
It is noteworthy that the defendants had spent eight years in incarceration following their arrest by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on November 9, 2015. Throughout the trial, they consistently maintained their plea of not guilty.
This case’s conclusion raises questions about the justice system’s capacity to safeguard the rights of both the accused and the alleged victims. The exoneration of the defendants after such a protracted period of incarceration underscores the necessity for meticulous adherence to due process and the imperative of securing corroborative evidence.
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In this extraordinary case, justice has prevailed, prompting profound reflection on the complexities of the legal system and the enduring impact of its decisions.
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